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FEATURES
008 TEXAS MEN’S COACH EDDIE REESE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 SEASONS, 15 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
by David Rieder
Eddie Reese, the longtime head coach of the University of Texas men’s team, announced his retirement following his 15th national championship when his Longhorns beat Cal by 27 points at the men’s NCAAs in Greensboro, N.C. Reese will remain in his role as head coach through the U.S. Olympic Trials and ensuing Olympics, then will transition to head coach emeritus.
010 EDDIE REESE BY THE NUMBERS: TEXAS, OLYMPIC COACH HAD CAREER LIKE NO OTHER
by Dan D’Addona
Eddie Reese, who ended his college coaching career after 15 NCAA titles at Texas, is widely regarded as the top college swimming coach of all time, if not the top swimming coach of all time.
012 TEXAS ASSISTANT WYATT COLLINS: EDDIE REESE “HAS MEANT A HECK OF A LOT TO ME”
by David Rieder
The news of Eddie Reese’s retirement came as a surprise to the swimming community, and even those in Reese’s near orbit did not know until days before. Assistant coach Wyatt Collins learned of Reese’s decision at NCAAs: “…There’s never going to be anyone like him,” says Collins. “We’re all better for having him in our lives.”
013 COMMENTARY: EDDIE REESE ERA ENDED ON A HIGH NOTE; HIS LEGACY MEASURES FAR BEYOND TITLE BANNERS
by Dan D’Addona
In 43 seasons, Coach Eddie Reese’s men’s teams have finished among the top two at NCAAs 27 times and the top three 34 times. The Longhorns have won 140 event titles during that span. In addition to 15 NCAA titles, his Texas teams have been in the top 10 in the nation a stunning 40 consecutive seasons, and have won 41 consecutive conference championships. Reese is simply the greatest coach in the history of college swimming.
014 TEXAS CONTINUES WINNING FORMULA—EVEN WITHOUT WINNING MANY RACES AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
by Dan D’Addona
Texas became the first team since Auburn in 2006 to win the NCAA men’s championship without winning any of the individual swimming races. The Longhorns did so by winning two relays and a diving event and having every qualifier actually score in the meet—all 24 of them.
016 CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS COME UP JUST SHORT DESPITE HISTORIC PERFORMANCE
by David Rieder
No SWIMMING team was more impressive at the men’s NCAAs than Cal, scoring a whopping 568 points. But the Golden Bears finished second to Texas, which put together a better swimming AND DIVING team. Cal has now scored the most swimming points in seven of the past 11 NCAA championships, but on three of those occasions (2010, 2018 and now 2021), Texas diving proved to be the difference.
018 NICK ALBIERO WINS EMOTIONAL 200 BUTTERFLY NCAA TITLE
by Andy Ross
Nick Albiero has been swimming at the Ralph Wright Natatorium at the University of Louisville ever since he can remember. Now his name will be on the wall as a national champion for the Cardinals after winning an emotional 200 fly at NCAAs that later brought tears to his eyes when he hugged his dad—and coach—Arthur Albiero.
019 BOBBY FINKE, KIERAN SMITH USHER IN FAST FUTURE FOR FLORIDA
by Dan D’Addona
With all eyes on the Texas-Cal showdown, Florida put together some of the most impressive performances at NCAAs. The Gators finished third in the team race behind some stellar individual performances by Kieran Smith and Bobby Finke, along with consistently fast relays that all finished among the top four.
020 SHAINE CASAS DELIVERS AFTER TWO YEARS OF BUILDUP: “THE PRESSURE WAS INCREDIBLE”
by Dan D’Addona
Shaine Casas has been the up-and-coming star for years, and with the NCAAs canceled last year, that just added a year of wondering what the Texas A&M swimmer would be capable of. Feeling incredible pressure to perform up to expectations, Casas put together a spectacular show, winning all three of his individual events.
021 LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
by Mauro Pacsi
After battling adversity all season long from the pandemic, collegiate swimmers triumphed at NCAAs and proved that nothing is impossible.
022 TERRY GANLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 44 SEASONS WITH MINNESOTA SWIMMING
by Dan D’Addona
Terry Ganley, the longest-tenured coach in the history of Minnesota Swimming, announced her retirement after 44 seasons with the swimming and diving programs. She was one of the most-decorated, pivotal and important athletic figures at the University of Minnesota, leading the Golden Gophers to seven Big Ten team titles and 17 NCAA top 15 finishes.
024 RANKING THE 10 BEST PERFORMERS FROM THE NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
by Andy Ross
026 CAELEB DRESSEL AND THE OBSTACLES AWAITING HIS OLYMPIC SHOWCASE
by David Rieder
After winning a record-tying seven gold medals at the 2017 World Championships and then a record-breaking eight total medals in 2019, Caeleb Dressel had to wait out the pandemic-induced 12-month delay of the Olympics, just like everyone else. But in 2021, he gets a shot at taking his signature steamrolling to the Olympic level, which could bring with it a series of difficult challenges this July.
028 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY
036 HOW THEY TRAIN: DIGGORY DILLINGHAM
by Michael J. Stott
038 PARTING SHOT
